The latest Ozzie Smith MLB and fantasy baseball news

Former St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said he has reached out to Hall of Fame SS Ozzie Smith to try to mend the fences after Smith felt jettisoned for SS Royce Clayton during the 1996 season. "The only uncomfortable part of my 16 years with the Cardinals is my relationship with Ozzie," La Russa said. "I've reached out. But, nothing yet."

Former St. Louis Cardinals OF Jim Edmonds and Hall of Fame SS Ozzie Smith are among the new faces who will be guest instructors at the team's spring training facility, assisting new manager Mike Matheny. Edmonds is expected to serve in a more long-term role with the organization, although his role hasn't yet been clearly defined.

Former SS Ozzie Smith is endorsing former 2B Ryne Sandberg as the next manager for the Chicago Cubs, according to ESPNChicago.com. "To me, there's one guy," Smith said. "He has paid his dues. He has been a stand-up citizen. He is a Hall of Famer. I don't know exactly what it is they are looking for, but I think it should be a no-brainer."

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch's Derrick Goold reports St. Louis Cardinals third-base coach Jose Oquendo and Hall of Fame SS Ozzie Smith were selected to manage the two teams in the Futures Game during the All-Star festivities. Oquendo will miss the Cardinals' doubleheader that day to manage his squad.

The San Jose Mercury News' Chris Haft reports San Francisco Giants SS Omar Vizquel played his 2,400th game at shortstop, becoming only the third at his position to reach that level. Hall of Famers Luis Aparicio (2,581) and Ozzie Smith (2,511) were the others to reach the plateau.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch's Rick Hummel reports former St. Louis Cardinals SS Ozzie Smith will not associate with the team aside from Opening Day and playoff appearances as long as the current management team remains in place. Speculation is Smith still feels slighted that he was pushed aside in 1996 for then-SS Royce Clayton.

Marc Topkin, of the St. Petersburg Times, reports Tampa Bay Devil Rays SS B.J. Upton wants to stay at shortstop. Hall of Fame SS Ozzie Smith spent time with Upton in St. Petersburg as a favor to agent Larry Reynolds. "He's never really been taught good, sound fundamentals," Smith said. He believes Upton has the ability to play the position well with a little bit of help.

Updating previous items, the Oakland Tribune's Andrew Baggarly (InsideBayArea.com) reports San Francisco Giants SS Omar Vizquel, at age 38, has become the oldest player in MLB history to win Gold Gloves at the shortstop position. He is also the only shortstop ever to win the award in both leagues. With 10 Gold Gloves to his name, he trails only behind Ozzie Smith (13) among shortstops.